Golf putting practice device

ABSTRACT

A golf putting practice device that can precisely simulate puffing golf balls in real golf puffing greens. The golf putting device is foldable for carrying. The golf putting practice device has an end ramp plate having a hole therein. At least one ramp plate pivotally connected to the end ramp plate with one side and pivotally connects to an adjacent ramp plate with another side in series. The number of the ramp plates depends on a player&#39;s need. A base installed with a return gutter under and behind the end ramp plate for accepting golf balls that miss the hole. Alternative choice of base is a base comprising plural walls substantially surrounding the end ramp plate and a ball return gutter located under the hole, so the ball that miss the hole will not go beyond the walls and the ball falls into the hole will be received by the ball return gutter. The ball return gutter can connect to a ball return channel to bring the balls to the player. The height adjusting means are used for adjusting heights of the end ramp plate and ramp plates at a player&#39;s will. These height adjusting means are used to simulated different ramp gradients. An artificial grass carpet is applied on the ramp plates and the end ramp plate. The carpet has a hole corresponding to the hole in the end ramp plate.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates generally to a golf putting practice device for simulating putting a golf ball in a real putting green, in particular, to provide a golf putting practice device that a user can change the ramp gradient of the device at the user's will to perfectly simulate putting a golf ball in a real putting green.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Golf is a popular game, widely enjoyed throughout the world. While the basics of golf are easy to learn, the subtle skills of driving and putting may take years to develop. Generally speaking, the key factor deciding the performance of putting depends on the judgment on the ramp gradient. A real golf course putting green has different gradients from golf hole to different directions. A player has to judge the gradient of the ramp according to the positions of the hole to the golf ball in order to decide the magnitude of the force he/she should apply to the gold ball. Therefore, it needs frequent practices to be skilled in putting. Although public and private golf courses are available in most cities, availability of an outdoor course will be dependent on weather conditions and the season. Furthermore, it is often impractical for a player to journey to a distant golf course for only a short practice round. To provide practice time off the course, a number of putting practice devices have been marketed.

[0003] Commercially available golf putting practice devices are known in the art with reference to FIG. 12, including those that simulate a golf putting green by using a closely cropped simulated grass indoor/outdoor carpeting material 53. These devices frequently have a ramped surface 51 which leads up to a flat putting platform 50 containing a golf putting cup 52 within a base 5. The ramp gradient of the traditional golf putting practice device is so large that cannot simulate a real golf putting green well. In addition, the traditional golf practice devices can only provide a fixed ramp gradient for practicers.

[0004] Another traditional putting practice device can let users to change the gradient and the height of the flat putting platform. However the gradient of the ramp is still too large. Besides, where the flat putting platform changes its height or gradient, the position of the carpet changes irregularly. Hence when a gold ball rolls over the place, the ball will change its rolling direction in an unexpected way.

[0005] Traditional golf practice devices take a lot of space and it's not easy to place them when the devices need to be moved or stored. Therefore a golf putting practice device that can precisely stimulate the ramp gradient of a real golf putting green and easy for storage and moving is needed and has been long desired

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0006] It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a golf putting practice device for precisely stimulating ramp gradients of real golf putting greens.

[0007] It is therefore another object of the present invention to provide a golf putting practice device that is easy for storage, moving and won't take much space.

[0008] The present invention, briefly summarized, in one embodiment discloses a golf putting practice device. The golf putting practice device has an end ramp plate having a hole therein. At least one ramp plate pivotally connected to the end ramp plate with one side and pivotally connects to an adjacent ramp plate with another side in series. The number of the ramp plates depends on a player's need. The head ramp plate is the ramp plate that is the closest one to the player. Both the end ramp plate and the head ramp plate have only one side connected to theirs adjacent ramp plates. A base installed with a return gutter under and behind the end ramp plate for accepting golf balls that miss the hole. The ball falls in to the hole will be held in another area of the base. Alternative choice of base is a base comprising plural walls substantially surrounding the end ramp plate and a ball return gutter located under the hole, so the ball that miss the hole will not go beyond the walls and the ball falls into the hole will be received by the ball return gutter. The ball return gutter can connect to a ball return channel to bring the balls to the player. Plural height adjusting means are used for adjusting heights of the end ramp plate and ramp plates at a player's will. These height adjusting means are used to simulated different ramp gradients in all directions. An artificial grass carpet is applied on the ramp plates including the head ramp plate and the end ramp plate. The carpet has a hole corresponding to the hole in the end ramp plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] The invention will be more clearly understood after refer to the following detailed description read in conjunction with the drawings wherein:

[0010]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment;

[0011]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of ramp plates of the embodiment;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the combined ramp plates of the embodiment;

[0013]FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the embodiment of FIG. 3, taken along section line 1-1;

[0014]FIG. 5 is a cross section view of the embodiment of FIG. 3, taken along section line 2-2

[0015]FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the height adjusting means of the embodiment;

[0016]FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the folding of the ramp plates of the embodiment;

[0017]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an application of the assembled embodiment;

[0018]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another application of the assembled embodiment;

[0019]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of additional application of the assembled embodiment;

[0020]FIG. 11 a perspective view of another embodiment with a ball return channel; and

[0021]FIG. 12 is an exploded view of a traditional golf putting practice device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022]FIG. 1 of the drawings generally refers to a golf putting practice device. The golf putting practice device has an end ramp plate 20 a. The end ramp plate 20 a contains a frame 200 a and an engaging plate 201 a engaged with the frame 200 a having a hole 202 a therein. At least one ramp plate 20 pivotally connected to the end ramp plate 20 a with one side and pivotally connects to an adjacent ramp plate 20 with another side in series. The number of the ramp plates 20 depends on a player's need. Head ramp plate 20 b is the ramp plate that is the closest one to the player. Both the end ramp plate 20 a and the head ramp plate 20 b have only one side connected to their adjacent ramp plates 20. A base 1 installed with a return gutter 10 under and behind the end ramp plate 20 a for accepting golf balls that miss the hole 202 a. The ball falls in to the hole 202 a will be held in another area of the base 1. Plural height adjusting means 3 are used for adjusting heights of the end ramp plate 20 a and ramp plates 20, 20 b at a player's will. These height adjusting means are used to simulated different ramp gradients. An artificial grass carpet 4 is applied on the ramp plates 20 and the end ramp plate 20 a. The carpet 4 has a hole 40 corresponding to the hole 202 a in the end ramp plate 20 a.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 2, each the ramp plate 20 has plural first recesses 203 at one side 200. The first recess 203 has a pivotal hole 205 therein and a holding plate 204 at one side. Plural second recesses 206 at the opposite side 200′ corresponding to the first recesses 205. Each the plural second recesses 206 has a holding plate 207 at one side.

[0024] With reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, each sliding elements 22 has a protrusion 221 on the top and a pin 220 on the bottom for inserting to the pivoting hole 205 of the first recess 203. Each the sliding element 22 can be rotated to the second recess 206 of an adjacent ramp plate 20 with one end against the holding plate 204 at the first recess and with another end against the holding plate 207 at the second recess of the adjacent ramp plate. The sliding elements 22 smooth the overall surfaces of the ramp plates 20 when rotated in position.

[0025] With reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the ramp plate 20 contains: plural concaves 201, 201′ at two pivotal sides 200, 200′. Plural pivots 202, 202′ installed within the plural concaves 201, 201′ respectively. The pivotal element 21 contains two pivotal holes 210 and two openings 211 connected to the pivotal holes 210 correspondingly. Thereby, one of the two pivotal holes 210 is engaged with the pivot 201 and another pivotal hole is engaged with a pivot 201′ of an adjacent ramp plate 20.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the end ramp plate 20 a has holes 209 therein for inserting design blocks. The design blocks are used to create different terrains on the ramp plates 20. Shown in FIG. 2, the end ramp plate 20 a and ramp plate 20 contains: plural engaging concaves 208 at their two sides for engaging with the height adjusting means 3. The height adjusting means 3 contains: an elevation base 30, a sliding block 31 and a fixing device 33. The sliding block 31 has a positioning lever 32 thereon and the sliding block 31 can slide along the elevation base 30. The fixing device 33 is for fixing the sliding block 31 in a fixed position at the elevation base 30. The positioning engaging concaves 208 engage with the positioning lever 32 to hold the ramp plates 20, 20 b and end ramp plate 20 a in a desired height. When the golf putting device need to be moved to other place or be stored, a user doesn't have to disassemble the ramp plates 20, 20 a and 20 b. Referring to FIG. 7, for the convenience of the user, the plates 20, 20 a, and 20 b can be folded after rotating back the sliding elements 22 to their original positions.

[0027] Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 11. The embodiment of the invention has different base as the first embodiment. The base 1 a contains plural walls substantially surrounding the end ramp plate. The walls can be used to adjust the position of the end ramp plate 20 a and ramp plates 20. A ball return gutter is located under the hole. A ball return channel 10 a is connected to the ball return gutter, wherein a golf ball falls into the hole, accepted by the ball return gutter and rolls along the ball return channel 10 a to the player.

[0028] Numerous characteristics and advantages of the invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, and the novel features thereof are pointed out in appended claims. The disclosure, however, is illustrated only, and changes may be made in detail, especially, in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts, materials and the combination thereof within the principle of the invention, to the full extend indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

We claim:
 1. A golf putting practice device comprising: at least two ramp plates pivotally connected to each other; means for adjusting heights of said ramp plates; and an artificial grass carpet applied on said ramp plates.
 2. A golf putting practice device comprising: an end ramp plate having a hole therein; at least one ramp plate pivotally connected to said end ramp plate and adjacent ramp plates; a base having a ball return gutter installed with said ball return gutter under and behind said end ramp plate; means for adjusting heights of said end ramp plate and ramp plates; and an artificial grass carpet applied on said ramp plates and said end ramp plate, said carpet has a hole corresponding to said hole in said end ramp plate.
 3. The golf putting practice device of claim 2 wherein said end ramp plate comprises a frame; and an engaging plate engaged with said frame having said hole therein.
 4. The golf putting practice device of claim 2 wherein each said ramp plate comprises: plural first recesses at one side, each said first recess comprises: a pivotal hole therein; and a holding plate at one side; plural second recesses at the opposite side corresponding to said first recesses, each said plural second recess has a holding plate at one side; plural sliding elements, each said sliding element comprises: a protrusion on the top; a pin on the bottom for inserting to said pivoting hole of said first recess, wherein each said sliding element can be rotated to said second recess of an adjacent ramp plate with one end against said holding plate at said first recess and with another end against said holding plate at said second recess of said adjacent ramp plate.
 5. The golf putting practice device of claim 2 wherein each said ramp plate comprises: plural concaves at two pivotal sides; plural pivots installed within said plural concaves respectively; and plural pivotal elements, each said pivotal elements comprises: two pivotal holes; two openings connected to said pivotal holes respectively, wherein, one of said two pivotal holes is engaged with said pivot and another pivotal hole is engaged with a pivot of an adjacent ramp plate.
 6. The golf putting practice device of claim 2 wherein said end ramp plate comprises: plural recesses at one side, each said recess comprises: a pivotal hole therein; and a holding plate at one side; plural sliding elements, each said sliding element comprising: a protrusion on the top; a pin on the bottom for inserting to said pivoting hole of said first recess.
 7. The golf putting practice device of claim 2 wherein said end ramp plate comprises: plural concaves at a pivotal side; plural pivots installed within said plural concaves respectively; and plural pivotal elements, each said pivotal elements comprises: two pivotal holes; two openings connected to said pivotal holes respectively.
 8. The golf putting practice device of claim 2 wherein each said ramp plate comprises: a head ramp plate, pivotally connected to only one adjacent ramp plate.
 9. The golf putting practice device of claim 2 wherein said ramp plates and end ramp plate have holes therein for inserting design blocks.
 10. The golf putting practice device of claim 2 wherein said end ramp plate and ramp plate comprise: plural engaging concaves at their two sides for engaging with said height adjusting means.
 11. The golf putting practice device of claim 10 wherein said means for adjusting heights comprises: an elevation base; a sliding block having a positioning lever thereon, said sliding block can slide along said elevation base; and a fixing device for fixing said sliding block in a fixed position at said elevation base, wherein said positioning engaging concaves engage with said positioning lever to hold said ramp plates and end ramp plate in a desired height.
 12. A golf putting practice device comprising: an end ramp plate having a hole therein; at least one ramp plate pivotally connected to said end ramp plate and adjacent ramp plates; means for adjusting heights of said end ramp plate and ramp plates; a base comprising: plural walls substantially surrounding said end ramp plate; and a ball return gutter located under said hole; an artificial grass carpet applied on said ramp plates and said end ramp plate, said carpet has a hole corresponding to said hole in said end ramp plate.
 13. The golf putting practice device of claim 12 further comprising a ball return channel connected to said ball return gutter, wherein a golf ball falls into said ball return gutter and rolls along said ball return channel to a player. 